Last Friday Night Israel Launched a Three Day Military Operation in Gaza: After arresting a top Islamic Jihad combatant and commander in the West Bank last week, and after three days of complete closure of many Israeli towns and villages close to the border with Gaza, Israeli forces initiated an intensive attack, targeting Islamic Jihad sites and commanders in 147 airstrikes. The operation was called Breaking Dawn. Islamic Jihad retaliated, with one thousand rockets targeting Israeli sites near the border, and remote areas as far as greater Tel Aviv, and even Jerusalem. After three intensive days, a ceasefire was brokered with the help of Egypt.
It is important to say in this context that Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, and is the most powerful and resourceful organization in Gaza, did not participate in the current conflict, and this in and of itself is considered to be an important decision and consideration from Hamas.
During the military operation, former PM Netanyahu met with current PM Lapid, who briefed him on the security reality on the ground. Briefing the head of the opposition is mandatory, but thus far, Netanyahu declined all invitations from former PM Bennett and by current PM Lapid, until now.
Israeli Defense Force (IDF) killed an Islamic Jihad Operator Deep in the Palestinian Authority Area in the West Bank: Israeli forces were pursuing this wanted combatant, who was suspected of responsibility for several terrorist attacks and was planning more. During this military operation an attack dog named Zili was also killed and his death echoed virally on social media, and even PM Lapid praised the dog’s devotion, and mentioned him and the attack dog army unit in his Twitter account with warm words of departure.
Ahead of the scheduled November 1st Elections, Labor and Likud Hold Primaries: Labor and Likud pare two out of a handful of parties that hold primaries to elect their lists prior to the November elections. The Labor party primaries were held online. Given the party’s commitment to gender parity, the list is structured in the “zipper system”, with every alternate slot holding a woman, which results in half of the slots reserved for women. The top ten slots feature women of color, a reform Rabbi and a modern Orthodox Rabbi. Party veterans who served as ministers in the current government were pushed out of the opening first ten slots. Public opinion polls predict that Labor will get around 5-7 seats (out of 120).
The Likud party held in-person voting in dozens of polling locations around the country and saw a high voting rate of 58% - 80,000 people. As actual results are pouring in, the opening ten is comprised of 90% men, and only four women in the first thirty slots. Initial analysis of the list shows that some party members, including prominent politicians, who challenged Netanyahu’s leadership were pushed put of the opening ten. However, analysts also claim that while those considered as Netanyahu’s loyalists are placed in high positions on the list, some of the new candidates are more far to the right. This may represent a challenge to Netanyahu, who needs the votes of those from the soft right to win the elections. Public opinion polls predict that Likud will have 33-35 seats.
A reminder to our readers, Israel’s democracy is based on a proportional system where voters select a party. The number of representatives elected to the Knesset from each party is based on the proportion of votes each party gains in the elections. There is a minimum threshold of 3.25%. Representatives, MKs are chosen based on their position in the lists presented before the elections.
Life of Palestinian Administrative Detainee in Danger Due to Long Hunger Strike: Khalil Awawdeh, a Palestinian prisoner on hunger strike for more than 150 days, was rushed to hospital for fear of cognitive damage. This, following a formal request by Physicians for Human Rights to the health, defense and homeland security ministers. The Islamic Jihad demanded Awawdeh’s release, along with another Palestinian prisoner, in the framework of the ceasefire negotiations after the IDF “breaking dawn” operation in Gaza last weekend.
Canadian Pop Star Singer, Justine Bieber was Accused of displaying a Nazi Salute During a Concert in Finland: A mini-scandal over a hand wave of the pop-star, which resembled the Nazi salute, while he was on stage in Finland. Bieber’s supporters rejected the accusation. Bieber is schedule to perform in Israel this coming October.
For further reading:
Military operation in Gaza: Here, here, here, here
Nablus: Here, here, here, here, here
Primaries: Here, here, here, here